Description: This letter from Sir Walter Besant to his friend, Arthur Warren, is brief but still fulfills its twofold purpose: expressing his regrets to an invitation extended by Warren: "You are very kind but unfortunately I am engaged for Tuesday afternoon. Otherwise I should have much liked to meet Mr. Rideing," and a brief discussion of their mutual acquaintance, Oliver Wendell Holmes: "Did you not write to me about this proposed or supported statue to Oliver Wendell Holmes? It is because he is alive that I supported it. I spent a delightful afternoon with him last July," before Besant signs off with his full name. Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901) was, as his London memorial plaque proclaims, a novelist, historian of London, secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund, Originator of the People's Palace in East London, and Founder of the Society of Authors. Arthur Warren (1860-1924) was an American journalist who served as the Boston Herald's London correspondent from 1888 to 1897. His London home was reportedly a "charming center of social and literary intercourse", in which many famous Americans and Europeans participated. Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) was an influential American physician, poet, and author. As a physician, his essay on the contagious nature of puerperal fever was groundbreaking. As a poet, his "Old Ironsides," was instrumental in the preservation of the USS Constitution. Henry William Rideing (1853-1918) was an American journalist and author with strong ties to England, spending two years in London. He included a chapter on Holmes in his The Boyhood of Living Authors. The letter is written in Besant's distinctive hand on the first page of a sheet of Besant's "Frognal End, Hampstead, N.W." stationery. Measures approximately 8" x 5" when folded. Condition: There is some offsetting/smudging from when the paper was folded before the ink had dried. The 't' at the end of Besant's signature is one of the spots that smudged slightly. A 0.25" tear at the top edge of each page has been neatly repaired with archival tissue/tape. Otherwise in very good condition, and could easily be framed for a very nice presentation. Shipping Notes: We ship same day via USPS upon receipt of payment before 3 PM. Payments received Monday-Friday (after 3 PM) will be shipped the next morning. Payments received after 3 PM on Fridays and on Saturdays & Sundays will be shipped no later than the following Monday morning. A note about packing: Check our feedback. We take pride in our excellent packing. We double-box all fragile items to insure their safe journey through the postal system. This sometimes means it costs a little more to ship your item, but you can rest assured that it will arrive in one piece. International Buyers Please Note: Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up; do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. We do not mark merchandise values below value or mark items as "gifts" - US and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
Price: 110 USD
Location: Cohoes, New York
End Time: 2025-01-02T16:28:33.000Z
Shipping Cost: 10.45 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Return policy details:
Original/Reproduction: Original
Signed by: Walter Besant
